In today's continuation of our New Patient blog series, we'll take a quick but deep look at a question we hear all the time - "Is medical cannabis safe?"
Yes, medical cannabis is safe, but let's dig a little deeper and see what the science has to say.
Contents
Here in the UK, every single day, new patients receive prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines. Thankfully, medical cannabis legalisation was implemented back in November 2018, allowing patients who have tried conventional approaches to no avail a chance to access a potentially life-saving treatment.
Despite this, the public understanding of what medical cannabis actually is remains rather limited and often skewed by false information, decades of indentured stigmatisation, and media sensationalism.
We are here to change that.
What is medical cannabis?
The term "medical cannabis" encompasses a massive range of cannabis-based medicines. It includes products that are high in THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) and others with more CBD (a non-psychoactive cannabinoid).
Most medical cannabis products contain a combination of both compounds, along with other various cannabinoids and terpenes (the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive fragrance, but also have therapeutic effects).
Is medical cannabis safe?
Medical cannabis is considered to have a very favourable safety profile, and this has been shown time and again in the available peer-reviewed research. Unlike many of the conventional pharmaceuticals that are often prescribed (oxycodone, fentanyl, alprazolam, hydrocodone, etc.), cannabis has not been linked to any deaths.
One of the reasons medical cannabis is considered safe is that it works with the body's natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is the largest neurotransmitter system in the body and plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis (balance). We produce our own cannabinoids, which interact with the ECS receptors, but sometimes this system needs a boost.
Is there research that proves the safety of medical cannabis?
Yes, there certainly is.
Almost every study, clinical review, and meta-analysis of medical cannabis has found that it is well-tolerated, but since you're here, let's look at one specific publication that reviewed the safety and side effects of medical cannabis use of approximately 10,000 patients.
In this study, the safety of medical cannabis was assessed by the frequency of side effects - dizziness was the most common, with 8.2% of participants reporting it. Dry mouth (6.7%), increased appetite (4.7%), sleepiness (4.4%), and psychoactive effects (4.3%) were the other most commonly reported side effects, all of which are considered 'mild side effects'.
The paper concludes that:
"Supervised medical-cannabis treatment is associated with high adherence, improvement in quality of life, and a decrease in pain level with a low incidence of serious adverse events."
FAQs
How many people use medical cannabis in the UK?
A report from early 2023 put the number at an estimated 47,000 patients, with predictions indicating this number may more than double by the end of 2024.
What are the conditions for medical cannabis UK?
Specialists working with private medical cannabis clinics in the UK have the legal right to prescribe medical cannabis for most conditions where they feel the benefits outweigh the risks, as long as the patient has tried at least two treditional treatments that have been unsuccessful.
Can you get medical cannabis for anxiety in the UK?
Yes, medical cannabis for anxiety is a treatment option available to UK patients. Only private clinics (like Releaf) are currently able to prescribe medical cannabis for this condition in the UK.
The wrap-up
All drugs come with the risk of adverse effects, and medical cannabis is no outlier.
But the vast majority of people who take cannabis-based medications experience no or only mild side effects, and the potential benefits for almost all patients far outweigh these slight risks.
If you would like to quickly find out if you may be suitable for a UK medical cannabis prescription, check out our free and simple medical cannabis eligibility checker. It takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and you’ll receive your results instantly.
Releaf is here to help, no matter what stage you're at in your medical cannabis journey.
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It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
Editorial Policy
All of our articles are written by medical cannabis experts, guided by strict sourcing guidelines, and reference peer-reviewed studies and credible academic research. Our expert clinical team and compliance specialists provide valuable insights to ensure accuracy when required. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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